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The purchase of two HP Latex printers by Specialized Signs & Wraps reportedly doubled the company’s turnover in just two years
Edinburgh-based sign-making and wrapping business, Specialized Signs & Wraps, has revealed that its investment in a HP Latex R1000 and HP Latex 800 has helped the company to double its turnover.
The company installed the HP Latex R1000 printer in 2019, adding the Latex 800 in 2023. The ongoing usage of the R1000, in tandem with the additional capacity offered by the 800, were reportedly a key factor in the increase in the company’s turnover in a two-year period.
The HP Latex large-format printing technology is designed to produce a variety of printed materials, including signage, vehicle wraps, décor, stickers, and posters. The R1000 prints up to 1.6m-wide boards at a resolution of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi, with the 800 offering speeds of up to 36sq m per hour.
Speaking about the machines, managing director of Specialized Signs & Wraps, Graham Sim, says: “The R1000 was a game changer when we installed it, as it was our first flatbed printer. This made it much faster and cheaper to produce rigid panel work.
“These machines have allowed the company to double its turnover over the last two years, and we still have a fair bit of capacity left on them.”
As well as the core specs of the machines, the Latex printers were reportedly purchased due to their environmental credentials. The water-based latex ink technology is designed to reduce environmental impact, allowing for prints that do not alter substrate recyclability.
The ink cartridges used in the machine are also made with recycled plastic, and free ink and printhead recycling is available through the HP Planet Partners Program. Ink cartons from the machines are recyclable in local cardboard streams.
Speaking of the printers’ environmental credentials, Sim continues: “The HP machines are not only very user-friendly and produce great quality work, but as the inks are water-based, this allows us to deliver planet-friendly printing, which is paramount to our business ethos.
“Coupled with our new HQ, we must have one of the lowest carbon footprints within the signage and wrapping industry in Scotland, which is something we are very proud of and continue to push further.”
Sustainability was reportedly a key factor in the company’s move to a new purpose-built facility earlier this year. The facility was built to be more energy efficient than the previous premises, with solar roof panels, an air source heating pump (ASHP) system, and rainwater harvesting and water attenuation systems.
Specialized Signs & Wraps has plans to purchase an additional printer to support its ongoing expansion strategy, and is considering options for a new 3.2m wide-format machine.
